I used red and blue wood dye so the grain, patina, and dirt would show through the dye. I coated it with a satin spray on lacquer to protect the dye as it does not stand up well to being weathered or light. Originally I wanted to secure it together using pocket hole screws, but since the wood is only 1/2" thick, I wasn't able to do that, so i used 2" brads and nailed everything together.